Lande Ajose is the Managing Director at the Waverley Street Foundation, a start-up philanthropic effort that invests at the intersection of climate solutions and community priorities. Previously, she was vice president and Walter and Esther Hewlett Chair in Understanding California’s Future and a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California. Her career has focused on improving the lives of Californians by working in state government, private philanthropy, and research institutions. Her research interests include addressing issues of inequality through education and employment. She formerly served as senior policy advisor for higher education for the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. Before joining the Newsom administration, she was executive director of California Competes, chaired the California Student Aid Commission, and served on the governance bodies of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, the Institute for College Access and Success, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. She currently sits on the PPIC Higher Education Center Advisory Council and on the Board of Trustees at Occidental College. She holds a PhD in urban and regional studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Carolyn Coleman is executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities. To this role, she brings 25 years of experience as a leader and an advocate in the public and private sectors. Under her leadership, Cal Cities advances policies to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians. She joined Cal Cities in December 2016 after a decade as senior executive and director of federal advocacy with the National League of Cities (NLC) in Washington, D.C. During her tenure at NLC, she oversaw the organization’s advocacy efforts and worked closely with city leaders and the 49 state municipal leagues to advance federal policies in Congress and the White House that expand local control and provide funding for local programs related to housing, public safety, transportation, and infrastructure. Prior to working with NLC, she served as deputy mayor for the City of Indianapolis, where she focused on affordable housing, economic development, infrastructure, and community engagement initiatives. She previously practiced law and held marketing leadership positions in the private sector. In addition to her professional endeavors, she serves on the board of trustees of the University of Indianapolis and on the dean’s cabinet at the McGeorge School of Law, as well as PPIC’s Statewide Leadership Council. She holds a law degree from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Kansas.

Todd Gloria is mayor of San Diego, elected in 2020. He has spent his entire professional life in service to the public, beginning his career at the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency. He then went on to serve as district director to United States Congresswoman Susan A. Davis. In 2008, he was elected to the San Diego city council, serving the third district, and in 2012, he was elected city council president. In 2013, he served as interim mayor after the resignation of Bob Filner. In 2016, he was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the 78th Assembly District. He immediately rose to a leadership position in the Assembly, eventually serving as Majority Whip. During his time in the Assembly, he passed legislation on many of the major issues San Diego is working to address, including building more affordable housing, fighting gun violence, combatting climate change, and providing resources for those experiencing homelessness. He is an enrolled member of the Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and a graduate of the University of San Diego.

Karen K. Goh is mayor of Bakersfield, elected in 2018 and reelected to a second term in 2020. She is also president/CEO of Garden Pathways, a community-based nonprofit that mentors and educates children, youth, and adults to build productive lives. She leads a broad spectrum of community initiatives to assist at-risk families move toward educational advancement, employment, family stability, self-sufficiency, healthy living, and improved quality of life. Previously, she served as fifth district supervisor of Kern County. Prior to her political career, she held executive positions in educational publishing at McGraw-Hill, including vice president of publishing operations. She serves on the boards of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield, Bakersfield Arts District Foundation, and Kern Leadership Alliance. She also serves as an advisor to Bakersfield Safe Streets Partnership and Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra. She is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Community Action Partnership of Kern “2017 Humanitarian of the Year.” She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education from the University of Southern California.